Socorro city officials will launch an investigation into the audio tape turned over to the media Friday that has a city representative talking to a San Elizario businessman, officials said Sunday.

In the tape, recently resigned Socorro city Rep. Jesse Gandara Jr. was secretly recorded offering the owner of Licon Dairy a $40,000 advertising campaign in exchange for its support of the city's controversial annexation plan that includes part of San Elizario.

City spokesman David Garcia did not rule out a lawsuit against Licon Dairy. Licon Dairy owners could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

REPORTER

Aileen B. Flores

"The city council will try to answer questions brought before them asking them to find out who could profit from recording, editing and distributing this tape to the media," Garcia said in a written statement. "And also to identify who could profit from stopping the city of Socorro's proposed annexation."

Socorro officials will look into three things:

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Potential violations for delivering an edited tape to media and the El Paso County sheriff for purpose of fraud to include slander, libel, and defamation against the city of Socorro and its representatives to include lawsuits against Licon Dairy and any participating parties.

Potential violations by developers to conspire to save hundreds of thousands of dollars by thwarting annexation plans by the city of Socorro.

Potential violations by elected officials and government staff working with Licon Dairy, developers, and other interested parties for a real dollar amount benefit to developers and land owners if annexation does not occur by the city of Socorro.

Socorro officials will also look into the possibility of asking federal law enforcement for assistance.

According to the recording, dairy Manager Angel Licon, who was offered the $40,000 advertising campaign, declined the offer and told Gandara that the dairy was going to continue to oppose the annexation plan.

On Friday, Garcia acknowledged that the conversation took place and said Gandara was not trying to bribe the Licon Dairy. Gandara was "bragging about his district and community," Garcia said.